The Artisans' Path

210 pages

A photographic collection of dying artisanal trades of Japan from the Edo period, complied to preserve and appreciate the cultures, its craftsman and their dedication to their craft.

1. Annual gathering of irezumi horishi for information and cultural preservation

2. Irezumi Horishi (traditional Japanese tattoo)

3. Noh‍ ‍mask wood carver

4. Mask painter

5. Kumade (Rake of fortune) maker

6. Doll/decorative paddle painter

7. Paper crafter

8. Hagoita (decorative paddle) crafter

9. Shrine’s seasonal decorative painter

10. Shrine’s seasonal decorative crafter

11. Ema (prayer / wish placard) painter

12. Jiguchi (pun / humorous caricature) painter

13. Kabuki (Japanese stage play) painter

14. Laquerware painter

15. Kamon (family crest) painter for kimono

16. Komon (traditional fabric dyeing technique) crafter

17. Paper lantern painter

18. Gravestone writer

19. Kabuki signboard writer

20. Yoseji (signboard) painter

21. Sumo wrestling sign painter

22. Edo-style calligrapher

23. Wood sign carver

24. Wood sign ink artist

25. Osamefuda (paper certificate for pilgrimage) maker

26. Kabuki wig maker

27. Sumo wrestler hairdresser

28. Sumo arena workers

29. Geisha attendant

30. Geisha

31. Taikomochi (professional jester)

32. Tea house attendant

33. Night riverboat performer

34. Manzai (traditional performance art) performer

35. Toamishi (net-throwing fishermen)

36. Flea-market vendors

37. Tsujikoujaku (public storyteller)

38. Hanashika (person specializing comic storytelling and human emotion)

39. Matoi (firefighter sign) maker

40. Traditional firefighter

41. Dokuraku (acrobatics/prop) performer

42. Ukiyo-e artist

43. Blade crafter

44. Basket weaver

45. Tsuzura (storage basket) maker

46. Bekkou (shell / turtleshell crafts) maker

47. Zougan (inlay / embossing) crafter

48. Potter

49. Bouya (stick and pole) maker

50. Prayer alter carpenter

51. Geta (raised wooden sandal) maker

52. Wood comb maker

53. Kumihimo (string and thread) maker

54. Broom maker

55. Straw curtain maker

56. Tabacco piper maker

57. Sakan (traditional stucco) artist

58. Bamboo pole crafter

59. Paper umbrella maker

60. Wooden bucket maker

61. Wire crafter

62. Jyosaiya (traveling medicine man)

63. Fishmonger

64. Tofu delivery

65. Candy maker

66. Spice maker

67. Bamboo smoking pipe peddler

68. Candy artist

(1969; overall light signs of signs; good condition)